About the Mind Map Maker
Mind Map Maker draws a mind map from an indented list. Write your central idea on the first line, then each branch on its own line below it, indenting sub-ideas by two spaces, and the map appears and updates as you type. Start from an example for a project, study notes or a brainstorm, choose a colour theme, and download the finished map as a PNG or SVG. It uses the open Mermaid library in your browser, so your ideas never leave your device and nothing needs to be installed or paid for.
Updated October 2026
How to use the Mind Map Maker
- 1Pick an example, or clear the box and begin with the word mindmap.
- 2Write the centre on the next line as root((Your topic)).
- 3Add branches below it, indenting each level by two more spaces.
- 4Choose a colour theme and check the map.
- 5Download the mind map as PNG or SVG.
What a mind map is
A mind map puts one idea in the centre and spreads related ideas around it in branches. It mirrors how we associate ideas and makes relationships visible at a glance. Because every branch is short, it is quick to scan and easy to add to.
Building a good map
Start with a single clear topic in the centre. Add three to seven main branches, one for each big theme. Give each branch a few sub-branches, and keep every label to a word or short phrase. If a branch grows beyond about seven ideas, split it into two.
- Centre: one clear topic
- Main branches: three to seven themes
- Labels: keywords, not sentences
- Sub-branches: details and examples
Uses
Use a mind map to plan a project, outline an essay, summarise a chapter, prepare a talk, plan a trip or sort out your thoughts before a decision. For a process with steps and decisions, a flowchart is clearer, and for tasks on a calendar use a Gantt chart.
Related tools
The Flowchart Maker draws processes and decisions, the Gantt Chart Maker plans tasks over time, and the Online Whiteboard lets you draw freehand. To study the ideas on your map, turn them into cards with the Flashcard Maker.
Share and keep your map
Download the PNG for slides and documents, or the SVG for printing at any size. Keep the text in a note: it is small and lets you rebuild or change the map at any time. Use the Neutral theme to print in black and white.
Features
- Draws from an indented list as you type
- Unlimited branches and levels
- Rounded, square and circle shapes
- Four colour themes
- Examples for projects, study and brainstorming
- Download PNG or SVG
Frequently asked questions
How do I add a branch?
Write a new line under the idea it belongs to and indent it two spaces more than that idea. Lines with the same indent are siblings, and a deeper indent makes a child.
How do I change the shape of a box?
Wrap the text: [square], (rounded), ((circle)), or ))bang((. The centre idea is usually written root((Topic)) for a circle.
Can I put each branch in a different colour?
Colours follow the theme and the branch automatically. Try the four themes to see which suits your map best.
Why do I get an error?
The indentation may not match, or the first line is not mindmap. Make sure there is one root, and that each child is indented more than its parent.
How big can a mind map be?
Maps with a few dozen ideas stay readable. Very large maps become small on screen; the SVG download can be zoomed without losing sharpness.
Can I edit the map after downloading it?
Keep your text: it is the source of the map. Paste it back to continue working. The SVG can also be opened in a vector drawing program.
Is it good for studying?
Yes. A map of a chapter shows how topics connect. Writing the map yourself helps memory more than reading someone else's.
Is my text stored?
No. The map is drawn in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.